While the AS-2 sounds terrific just out of my Galaxy S3, it scales (up) impeccably well with my (dedicated) portable & desktop gear.. particularly the Violectric stack 9V800/V200).

JHAudio has my in-ear impressions, so I'll be getting a JH13pro in a month or so.. of course, AS-2 impressions/comparisons will follow.

Gonna link some comparisons here?

I found that my ASG-1 out of my dedicated desktop gear to be such an improvement over my iPhone 4S that I don't even bother taking it on the go with me anymore and I don't really have any interest in a portable rig.

That's really strange. I actually find them to gain more clarity with volume. I have my ports closed. Are yours open?

Is Mr. Eke going to go custom? Inquiring minds want to know!

In regards to the clarity & volume.. I found the AS-2 to perform quite well as a low-volume monitor.. but, IME, they seem to be optimal when they're fed more current than what the specs might indicate (as a bare minimum).

Originally Posted by vwinter

Gonna link some comparisons here?

I found that my ASG-1 out of my dedicated desktop gear to be such an improvement over my iPhone 4S that I don't even bother taking it on the go with me anymore and I don't really have any interest in a portable rig.

Do you think it's the dynamic driver getting most of the benefit?

Comparisons w/ the JH13 will certainly be linked here. I anticipate doing an in-depth review of both the AS-2 & JH13pro (as a contributor) to an audio blog, though.

The improvements I heard with my dedicated desktop gear seemed to benefit the the AS-2's dynamic driver and BAs. I sense better driver control, more robust texturing, cleaner instrument separation (and articulation), as well as more precise imaging.. when using it with the Vio stack (or ODAC/QUICKSTEP). The balanced (proportionality in the) soundstage makes for a very coherent, dynamic listening experience.. this only heightens with better upstream gear. The soundstage isn't going to give the HD800 a run for it's money anytime soon (atm, I'm convinced nothing in Head-Fi will, so that point is moot).. but I find the AS-2's coherence no less enjoyable. IMO, the size of the soundstage isn't as important as is the balance between the various dimensions.

It is important to note that the improvements I hear (with dedicated upstream gear) aren't some colossal revelation.. as if it takes the AS-2 from a muddy mess (when unamped) to a pristine sounding IEM. The AS-2 is terrific from my Galaxy S3 alone (and that's what I tend to listen to the AS-2 with most of the time).. but the improvements I hear with dedicated gear are distinguishable and worthwhile, IME. That doesn't mean better upstream gear is a necessity to enjoy these phones.. far from it, really.

In regards to the clarity & volume.. I found the AS-2 to perform quite well as a low-volume monitor.. but, IME, they seem to be optimal when they're fed more current than what the specs might indicate (as a bare minimum).

Comparisons w/ the JH13 will certainly be linked here. I anticipate doing an in-depth review of both the AS-2 & JH13pro (as a contributor) to an audio blog, though.

The improvements I heard with my dedicated desktop gear seemed to benefit the the AS-2's dynamic driver and BAs. I sense better driver control, more robust texturing, cleaner instrument separation (and articulation), as well as more precise imaging.. when using it with the Vio stack (or ODAC/QUICKSTEP). The balanced (proportionality in the) soundstage makes for a very coherent, dynamic listening experience.. this only heightens with better upstream gear. The soundstage isn't going to give the HD800 a run for it's money anytime soon (atm, I'm convinced nothing in Head-Fi will, so that point is moot).. but I find the AS-2's coherence no less enjoyable. IMO, the size of the soundstage isn't as important as is the balance between the various dimensions.

It is important to note that the improvements I hear (with dedicated upstream gear) aren't some colossal revelation.. as if it takes the AS-2 from a muddy mess (when unamped) to a pristine sounding IEM. The AS-2 is terrific from my Galaxy S3 alone (and that's what I tend to listen to the AS-2 with most of the time).. but the improvements I hear with dedicated gear are distinguishable and worthwhile, IME. That doesn't mean better upstream gear is a necessity to enjoy these phones.. far from it, really.

I am still really upset at that soundtrack for two reasons. 1) it wasn't recorded/mastered all that well. 2) they left out the trailer song which I argue is one of the better arrangements of the main theme.

Sorry Eke for the off topic. I'm just raging a bit at what could have been.

The gr07 is a beast of a iem, if only it could fit and stay behind my ears as easily as the asg2. To be honest the asg2 is the most luscious sounding vocal reproducing iem I've heard yet. I've come to the realization that not one phone can do everything right and at that moment I realized I could love things about all my phones. These asg2's reproduce the vocal range so delicately that I feel as if Chris Young's "Tomorrow" is being sung directly infront of my middle forehead/ nose, as if I'm standing face to face with him. It's a strange thing to hear accuracy when you weren't neccesarily listening for it. Truly cannot wait for the moment I unwrap my package containing the as2's. Tis be a great day I tell ya

I am still really upset at that soundtrack for two reasons. 1) it wasn't recorded/mastered all that well. 2) they left out the trailer song which I argue is one of the better arrangements of the main theme.

Sorry Eke for the off topic. I'm just raging a bit at what could have been.

In regards to the clarity & volume.. I found the AS-2 to perform quite well as a low-volume monitor.. but, IME, they seem to be optimal when they're fed more current than what the specs might indicate (as a bare minimum).

Comparisons w/ the JH13 will certainly be linked here. I anticipate doing an in-depth review of both the AS-2 & JH13pro (as a contributor) to an audio blog, though.

The improvements I heard with my dedicated desktop gear seemed to benefit the the AS-2's dynamic driver and BAs. I sense better driver control, more robust texturing, cleaner instrument separation (and articulation), as well as more precise imaging.. when using it with the Vio stack (or ODAC/QUICKSTEP). The balanced (proportionality in the) soundstage makes for a very coherent, dynamic listening experience.. this only heightens with better upstream gear. The soundstage isn't going to give the HD800 a run for it's money anytime soon (atm, I'm convinced nothing in Head-Fi will, so that point is moot).. but I find the AS-2's coherence no less enjoyable. IMO, the size of the soundstage isn't as important as is the balance between the various dimensions.

It is important to note that the improvements I hear (with dedicated upstream gear) aren't some colossal revelation.. as if it takes the AS-2 from a muddy mess (when unamped) to a pristine sounding IEM. The AS-2 is terrific from my Galaxy S3 alone (and that's what I tend to listen to the AS-2 with most of the time).. but the improvements I hear with dedicated gear are distinguishable and worthwhile, IME. That doesn't mean better upstream gear is a necessity to enjoy these phones.. far from it, really.

I like that you think the AS-2 is stable yet has headroom. I found the ASG-1 to be not so much stable.

After I heard it through the desktop gear, it was absolutely a gigantic difference in relative terms. It went from a dark sound, with not so much a veil but with maybe a lot of humidity and very relaxed treble to a clean sound with more air but still relaxed treble. To paint a picture, it was like someone put skylights and a dehumidifier into the cavern.

You had the D100 right? I'd describe the MKII as being very crisp, on the brighter side of neutral but not exactly cold sounding. Maybe that's what's creating the changes, not so much the extra and cleaner juice.Edited by vwinter - 6/6/13 at 7:54am

Hey Eke, yes I've played around with the ports. It is really noticeable when you turn them up. I actually had one vent opened all the way, and one completely closed. It is very clear that opening the vent gives the ASG2 a VERY noticeable boost in bass. I self-diagnosed myself as a basshead this week. I do prefer them all the way open. It sometimes rattles my skull a bit. However, still quality before quantity, as I believe it should be that way with everything in life. I still would rather hear more of the bass in the subbass portions, rather than the midbass. I am still pleased with what I am hearing out of these. I believe it is mostly brain burn-in that is taking place. Very easy to feel and get into the music with these!

Thank god! Don't join the dark side! I came from customs! After rehab, I see the truth. I can imagine you will only be disappointed in customs after hearing so many phenomenal IEMs. Then, you're stuck with them! Sure hope they fit you right!

Thank god! Don't join the dark side! I came from customs! After rehab, I see the truth. I can imagine you will only be disappointed in customs after hearing so many phenomenal IEMs. Then, you're stuck with them! Sure hope they fit you right!

I find myself on that ledge all the time. I've almost jumped into customs on two separate occasions. Still not sure. Comments like yours help remind me of the possible disappointment I'd experience from them.

Thank god! Don't join the dark side! I came from customs! After rehab, I see the truth. I can imagine you will only be disappointed in customs after hearing so many phenomenal IEMs. Then, you're stuck with them! Sure hope they fit you right!

Everytime you post you make me think I should stick with UIEMs. Even though I really like UERMs. But yeah, I do know that once I get my ASG-2s and maybe the Flat-4, I'll be set on IEMs for a while....